Method for Validation and Introduction of One or More Features in Electrically Powered System

ABSTRACT

A method and a system for facilitating validation of introduction of one or more features in a variant of an electrically powered system are provided. The method includes, introducing the features in plurality of electrically powered systems which are at least partially powered by electricity. Thereafter, data is collected, corresponding to at least one of the energy storage system and the energy consumption system of each of the plurality of electrically powered systems, based on the data required for validating the features introduced in the electrically powered system. The collected data corresponding to the energy storage system and the energy consumption system is transmitted to a remote location, thereby enabling analysis of the data, at the remote location, for validating introduction of the at least one feature in the variant of the electrically powered system.

This disclosure relates to systems which are at least partially poweredby electricity, and more particularly but not exclusively to, atechnique for validating introduction of new features in the systemswhich are at least partially powered by electricity.

BACKGROUND

It is a common practice in business to introduce variants of a productin Which features different from the existing model of the product areintroduced. For example, a variant of an electric car model can beintroduced to the market, in which the variant has an energy storagesystem, such as a battery, made of chemistry which is different from thechemistry of an energy storage system in an existing model of theelectric car. Generally, before introducing a variant, the new featureto be introduced is validated to ascertain safety, performance, anddurability of the product, among other reasons.

Traditionally, validation of introduction of a new feature can beperformed by making prototypes of the product with the new feature, andtesting the product under various operating conditions. For example, ifa new feature, such as a new charge profile for a battery of an electriccar, has to be introduced, then the same is validated using various testelectric cars. To validate this feature, the manufacturer of theelectric car deploys the test electric cars in various geographiclocations to ascertain the performance of the electric car in light ofthe newly introduced feature. The deployment of the test electric carsin various geographic locations will enable the manufacturer to validatethe new feature under different weather conditions. For example, a newlyintroduced feature might work well in locations such as India which hasmoderate climate, whereas it might not work well in Alaska which hasextremely challenging climatic conditions. Such deployment of theproduct across various geographic locations can increase the cost ofvalidating the new feature. Further, the high cost of introducing testproducts just for the sake of validating might lead to using fewer testproducts for validating. Using fewer test products for validating mightdecrease the reliability of validation. Further, introducing productssolely for validation purposes and collecting data relating to the testproducts might also increase the time required for validation.Alternatively, manufacturers may use facilities that simulate variousoperating conditions to validate introduction of new features. However,building such facilities or renting such facilities may increase thecost of validation. Additionally, it may be difficult to find a facilitywhich is capable of simulating all the desired types of operatingconditions.

Statement of Invention

Accordingly, an embodiment provides a method for facilitating validationof introduction of one or more features in a variant of an electricallypowered system, which is at least partially powered by electricity. Theelectrically powered system includes, an energy storage system adaptedto store electric energy, an energy consumption system configured to atleast partially consume electric energy from the energy storage system,and an energy management system configured to at least manage the energystorage system and the energy consumption system. The method includesintroducing the features in a plurality of electrically powered systemswhich are at least partially powered by electricity. Thereafter, data iscollected, corresponding to at least one of the energy storage systemand the energy consumption system of each of the plurality ofelectrically powered systems, based on the information required forvalidating the features introduced in the electrically powered system.The collected data corresponding to the energy storage system and theenergy consumption system is transmitted to a remote location, therebyenabling analysis of the data at the remote location for validatingintroduction of the at least one feature in the variant of theelectrically powered system.

There is also provided a system for facilitating validation ofintroduction of one or more features in a variant of an electricallypowered system which is at least partially powered by electricity. Thesystem includes, a plurality of electrically powered system and a dataprocessing system. Each of the plurality of electrically powered systemsis configured to enable introduction of the features in them. Each ofthe electrically powered systems includes an energy storage systemadapted to store electric energy, an energy consumption systemconfigured to at least partially consume electric energy from the energystorage system, and an energy management system configured to collectdata from the energy storage system and the energy consumption system,send instructions to the energy storage system and the energyconsumption system, and transmit data to a remote location. The dataprocessing system located at the remote location is configured tocommunicate with the electrically powered systems, thereby enabling thedata processing system to receive transmitted data and further enablinganalysis of the data at the remote location for validating introductionof the at least one feature in the variant of the electrically poweredsystem.

These and other aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein will bebetter appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction withthe following description and the accompanying drawings. It should beunderstood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicatingpreferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are givenby way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes andmodifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments disclosedherein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodimentsdisclosed herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughoutwhich like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the variousfigures. The embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood fromthe following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 for facilitatingvalidation of introduction of one or more features in a variant of anelectrically powered system, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrically powered system,in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an energy consumption system, inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an energy management system, inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for facilitating validationof introduction of one or more features in a variant of an electricallypowered system, in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating drive profiles of an electric vehicle, inaccordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments disclosed herein and the various features andadvantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference tothe non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions ofwell-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as tonot unnecessarily obscure the embodiments disclosed herein. The examplesused herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of waysin which the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced and tofurther enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodimentsdisclosed herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed aslimiting the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.

The embodiments disclosed herein facilitate validation of introductionof one or more features in a variant of an electrically powered system.To introduce one or more features in a variant of an electricallypowered system, such as an electric vehicle, the introduction of thefeatures are validated. For example, if a new feature is to beintroduced in a variant of an electric car, the introduction of thefeature in the variant has to be validated. To validate the introductionof the feature, the feature is introduced in several electric cars anddata is collected from the electric cars. The collected data is analyzedto make a decision on introduction of the feature in a variant of theelectric car that may be released in the market at a later date.Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding featuresconsistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferredembodiments.

System Description

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 for facilitatingvalidation of introduction of one or more features in a variant of anelectrically powered system, in accordance with an embodiment. Thesystem 100 includes multiple electrically powered systems (EPSs) 104 anda data processing system (DPS) 102. EPS 104 is a system which is atleast partially powered by electric energy. Examples of EPSs 104include, but are not limited to, electric vehicles, hybrid electricvehicles, and uninterruptible power supply systems. A DPS 102 can beconfigured to receive and process data from an EPS 104. In someembodiments, one or more of the EPSs 104 are wirelessly connected to theDPS 102, which is located at a location which is remote to the locationof the EPSs 104. The EPSs 104 can be connected to the DPS 102 through atelecommunication network 106. The EPSs 104 can communicate with the DPS102 using any other data transfer technique.

Data Processing System

The DPS 102 can include one or more memory devices connected to one ormore processing units. The one or more processing units can include, forexample, a general-purpose microprocessor, an application-specificintegrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, another devicecapable of manipulating data, or a combination of devices. In certainembodiments, at least some of the one or more memory devices areintegrated with at least one of the processing units. In an embodiment,the DPS 102 is a dedicated computer capable of wirelessly communicatingover the network 106. In other embodiments, the DPS 102 may be adiscrete set of components that perform the functions as a DPS 102 asdescribed herein.

Electrically Powered System

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an EPS 104, in accordance with anembodiment. EPS 104 includes an energy storage system (ESS) 110, anenergy consumption system (ECS) 108, and an energy management system(EMS) 112. The ESS 110 can include a battery pack capable of storingelectricity, one or more capacitors, a thermal storage device, achemical storage device, a fuel tank, an energy conversion system, otherenergy storage devices, or a combination of devices. For example, theESS 110 may comprise one or more of a lead-acid battery, a gel battery,a lithium ion battery, a lithium ion polymer battery, a NaS battery, anickel-iron battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmiumbattery, and capacitors, among others. The electric energy and/or otherforms of energy stored in the ESS 110 can be at least partially consumedby one or more sub-systems of the ECS 108.

Energy Consumption System

The ECS 108 may include one or more subsystems that use energy stored inthe ESS 110. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an energyconsumption system 108, in accordance with an embodiment. For example,the ECS 108 can include sub-systems such as, a drive train 108 a, amotor controller 108 b, a cabin climate control 108 c, a subsystemclimate control 108 d, a charging system 108 e, a dashboard display 108f, a car access system 108 g, a drive motor 108 h, a seat climatecontrol 108 i, a cabin HVAC 108 j, an add-on heating system 108 k, abattery heater 108 l, battery ventilation 108 m, an on board charger 108n, a safety system 108 o, a crash sensor 108 p, a sensing system 108 q,a temperature sensor 108 r, a fluid level sensor 108 s, a pressuresensor 108 t and other subsystems, or a combination of subsystems. Theone or more subsystems of the ECS 108 are capable of at least partiallyconsuming electric energy stored in the ESS 110. In some embodiments,the distribution of electric energy stored in the ESS 110 to thesub-systems of the ECS 108 is at least partially managed by the EMS 112.

Energy Management System

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an EMS 112, in accordance with anembodiment. The EMS 112 can include components configured to perform oneor more of the following functions: managing the distribution of energystored in the ESS 110, receiving instructions for managing thedistribution of energy, and providing information about the distributionof energy. In some embodiments, the EMS 112 comprises a processor 402, amemory device 404, an input and output (I/O) device 406, and a signaltransmitting and receiving device 408. In certain embodiments, theprocessor 402 is capable of receiving and processing data obtained fromthe I/O device 406, the signal transmitting and receiving device 408,and the memory device 404. Further, the processor 402 can be configuredto send data to the memory device 404 for storage. Additionally, theprocessor 402 can be configured to send commands to the I/O device 406,which can communicate the commands to systems and sub-systems associatedwith the I/O device 406. Further, the processor 402 can be configured tosend data to the signal transmitting and receiving device 408 fortransmitting the data to the DPS 102 and the like. In an embodiment, theprocessor 402 is made of electronic circuits comprising commerciallyavailable general purpose microcontroller chips. The memory device 404may comprise a combination of volatile and non volatile memory chipsthat can store information in digital form. The I/O device 406 cancomprise sets of output lines, each of which is individually connectedto the processor 402. These output lines may include analog inputs,analog outputs, digital inputs, digital outputs, pulse/frequency outputsand data lines, or a combination of line types. The data lines can beconnected to the external world through the signal transmitting andreceiving device 408.

Method for Facilitating Validation of Introduction of One or MoreFeatures in a Variant of an Electrically Powered System

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for facilitating validationof introduction of one or more features in a variant of an electricallypowered system, in accordance with an embodiment. To facilitatevalidation of introduction of the features, at step 502, the featuresare introduced in multiple EPSs 104. The EPSs 104 into which thefeatures are introduced can include EPSs 104 used in the field, EPSs 104used in a controlled test environment, a fleet of EPSs 104 used in asimilar situation or setting, EPSs 104 used in a variety of differentsituations or settings, or a combination of EPSs 104 in controlled anduncontrolled environments. For example, the EPSs 104 into which thefeatures are introduced can include EPSs 104 which have been sold tocustomers, and which are being used by the customers. Hence, it may benoted that, usage of EPSs 104 which are solely meant for validation maynot be required. For example, for validating introduction of a newfeature in a variant of an electric car that may be released in themarket at a later stage, the feature can be introduced in existingmodels of electric cars which are currently being used by customers.

In an embodiment, the EPSs 104 in which the features are introduced maybe located in distinct geographic locations. For example, the EPSs 104may be located in places which have distinct weather conditions, terrainconditions and traffic conditions, among others. In effect, the EPSs 104in which the features are introduced may be experiencing distinctoperating conditions. The introduction of features in EPSs 104 which areexperiencing distinct operating conditions enables collection of datafrom the EPSs 104 that enables understanding of performance of the EPSs104 in light of the introduced features under various operatingconditions.

In an embodiment, variations of the features may be introduced in one ormore EPSs 104. Introduction of variations of the features enablesunderstanding of performance of the EPSs 104 with each of the featurevariations. For example, if introduction of new charge profile for abattery of an electric car is to be validated, then variations of thenew charge profile can be introduced in different EPSs 104. Introducingvariations of the charge profile can enable understanding of battery orESS 110 behavior with different charge profiles. Measuring the resultsof the introduction of these variations can also enable selecting themost feasible charge profile that may be introduced in a variant of anelectric car that may be released in the market at a later stage.

In an embodiment, when introducing multiple features that are to bevalidated, all or a combination the features that are to be validatedcan be introduced in each of the EPSs 104. Alternatively, one or morefeatures may be introduced in each of the EPSs 104. In certainembodiments, one or more features are introduced into one or moresubsets of the EPSs 104.

In an embodiment, based on the feature to the introduced, the EMS 112 ofthe EPS 104 in which the feature is being introduced may bereprogrammed. In an embodiment, the reprogramming can be carried outfrom a remote location wirelessly over a telecommunication network. Inan embodiment, DPS 102 which is located at a remote location reprogramsthe EPS 104 over the network 106.

In an embodiment, the EMS 112 may be connected to the DPS 102 usingtangible connection to enable reprogramming of the EMS 112. Any otherdata communication technique can be used to transfer data, software,programming, or instructions between the DPS 102 and the EPS 104. Insome embodiments, the EMS 112 is reprogrammed by any one datacommunication technique or by a combination of data communicationtechniques.

In another embodiment, where a feature cannot be introduced by onlyreprogramming of the EMS 112, the feature can be introduced in the EPS104 by introducing one or more components in the EPS 104. For example,if introduction of a battery of certain chemistry has to be validated,then the battery of that chemistry is introduced in the EPSs 104.

Subsequent to introduction of the features in the EPSs 104, datacorresponding to one or more of the ESS 110 and the ECS 108 iscollected. The collected data can include data that is required forvalidation of introduction of the features, other data, or a combinationof required data and other data. In some embodiments, at step 504,processor 402 of the EMS 112 checks whether data corresponding to theESS 110 is required for validation of introduction of the features. Inan embodiment, DPS 102 updates the EMS 112 regarding the data that isrequired for validation of introduction of the features. If datacorresponding to the ESS 110 is required, then the same is collectedfrom the ESS 110 at step 508. Further, the processor 402, at step 510,checks whether data corresponding to ECS 108 is required for validationof introduction of the features. If data corresponding to ECS 108 isrequired, then the same is collected from the ECS 108, at step 514.

In an embodiment, data is collected only from those sub-systems of theECS 108 which are required for validation of introduction of thefeatures. While the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 indicates that datais not collected if it is not required, in alternative embodiments, datathat is not necessarily required (including, for example, optional data,metadata, other data, or a combination of data) may be collected inaddition to any required data. Further, in some embodiments, the methodincludes collecting some or all data that is available for collection.In certain circumstances, at least some data that is typically requiredfor validation of introduction of one or more features may not beavailable (due to, for example, a system fault or measurement error). Incertain embodiments, data may be collected even when certain requireddata is not available.

At step 516, the data collected by the processor 402 is transferred tothe DPS 102. The transfer of data can be accomplished by any suitabletechnique. For example, the data collected by the processor 402 can betransmitted to a remote location. The data collected by the processor402 may be stored in the memory device 404 and transmitted by the signaltransmitting and receiving device 408. In an embodiment, the data istransmitted to the remote location periodically by retrieving therequired data from the memory device 404. In an embodiment, the datacollected is partially transmitted to the remote location.Alternatively, all the collected data may be transmitted. In anembodiment, the processor 402 processes the collected data beforetransmitting. Alternatively, a part of the collected data may beprocessed by the processor 402 before transmitting. Alternatively, thedata may be transmitted without being processed before transmitting.

In an embodiment, the transmitted data is received at the remotelocation by the DPS 102

The various actions in above method may be performed in the orderpresented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in someembodiments, some actions listed in the method may be omitted.

The data received by the DPS 102 can be analyzed to validate theintroduction of features.

EXAMPLES

In an embodiment, system 100 is used to validate introduction of aheating feature in a variant of electric vehicles. To validate theintroduction, the heating feature is introduced into existing electricvehicles. In an embodiment, the heating feature is introduced byintegrating required components in the vehicles. Subsequently, datacorresponding to performance of the vehicle in light of the introducedfeature is collected. The collected data is used to validate theintroduction of the feature.

In an embodiment, system 100 is used to validate introduction of newdrive pattern in a variant of electric vehicles. For example,introduction of new drive profile in vehicles which may be used inside acollege campus may be validated. It may be noted that vehicles which maybe used only in the campus may be driven at speeds lower than that ofvehicles driven on city roads. FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating driveprofiles of an electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment. Inlight of the above observation, drive profiles of existing vehicles ischanged from existing drive profile 604 to a new drive profile 602. Thenew drive profile 602 provides higher acceleration and lower top speedas compared to existing drive profile 604. After configuring thevehicles to follow the new profile 602, data is gathered from thevehicles wirelessly to identify if there is any advantage, such as,increased drive range realized due to the new profile. In this case thenew feature is introduced by reprogramming EMS 112 of each of thevehicles to follow the new profile 602.

In an embodiment, the new feature may be introduced in the EPS 104 byintroducing one or more components in the EPS 104. For example, ifintroduction of a new type of battery in a variant of EPS 104 has to bevalidated, then the new type of battery is introduced in the existingEPS 104 for validation. Subsequently, data from the EPS 104 is collectedwirelessly to validate introduction of the new type of battery.

The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least onesoftware program running on at least one hardware device and performingnetwork management functions to control the network elements. Thenetwork elements shown in FIG. 1 include blocks which can be at leastone of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device andsoftware module.

The embodiment disclosed herein describes facilitating validation ofintroduction of one or more features in a variant of an electricallypowered system. Therefore, it is understood that the embodimentsdisclosed include a program and a computer readable medium having datastored therein. The computer readable medium can contain program codefor implementing one or more steps of the disclosed methods. Thedisclosed embodiments also include a server or any suitable programmabledevice configured to execute that program code. One or more of thedisclosed methods can be implemented through or together with a softwareprogram written in, e.g., very high speed integrated circuit hardwaredescription language (VHDL) or another programming language. Further,the disclosed methods can be implemented by one or more software modulesbeing executed on at least one hardware device. The at least onehardware device can include any kind of portable device that can beprogrammed. The at least one hardware device may also include devicesthat can be programmed (e.g., a hardware device like an ASIC, acombination of hardware and software devices, such as an ASIC and anFPGA, or at least one microprocessor and at least one memory withsoftware modules located therein). The methods described herein can beimplemented partly in hardware and partly in software. Alternatively,embodiments may be implemented on different hardware devices, e.g. usinga plurality of CPUs.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fullyreveal the general nature of the embodiments disclosed herein thatothers can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adaptfor various applications such specific embodiments without departingfrom the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations andmodifications should and are intended to be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is tobe understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is forthe purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while theembodiments disclosed herein have been described in terms of preferredembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that theembodiments disclosed herein can be practiced with modification withinthe spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

1. A method for facilitating validation of introduction of one or morefeatures in a variant of an electrically powered system which is atleast partially powered by electricity, the electrically powered systemcomprising an energy storage system adapted to store electric energy, anenergy consumption system configured to at least partially consumeelectric energy from the energy storage system, and an energy managementsystem configured to at least manage the energy storage system and theenergy consumption system, the method comprising: introducing the one ormore features in a plurality of electrically powered systems which areat least partially powered by electricity; collecting data correspondingto at least one of the energy storage system and the energy consumptionsystem of each of the plurality of electrically powered systems, basedon the data required for validating the features introduced in theelectrically powered system; and transmitting the data corresponding toat least one of the energy storage system and the energy consumptionsystem to a remote location, thereby enabling analysis of the data, atthe remote location, for validating introduction of the at least onefeature in the variant of the electrically powered system.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein introducing the features in the pluralityof systems comprises introducing the features in the systems which arecurrently used by consumers.
 3. The method according to claim 1, whereinone or more of the systems in which the features are introduced arelocated in distinct geographic locations.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein introducing the features in plurality of systemscomprises, reprogramming the energy management system of each of thesystems to introduce the features.
 5. The method according to claim 4,wherein reprogramming the energy management system comprises,reprogramming the energy management system using a wireless network. 6.The method according to claim 4, wherein reprogramming the energymanagement system comprises, reprogramming the energy management systemusing a wired network.
 7. The method according to claim 1, whereinintroducing the features in a plurality of systems comprises,introducing one or more components corresponding to the features, intoeach of the systems.
 8. The method according to claim 1, whereinintroducing the features in plurality of systems comprises, introducingvariations of the features in one or more of the plurality of systems.9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising processingcollected data before transmitting.
 10. The method according to claim 1,wherein transmitting comprises, transmitting to the remote locationusing a wireless communication network.
 11. A system for facilitatingvalidation of introduction of one or more features in a variant of anelectrically powered system which is at least partially powered byelectricity, the system comprising: a plurality of electrically poweredsystems, wherein each of the electrically powered systems are configuredto enable introduction of the features thereto, wherein each of theelectrically powered systems comprises, energy storage system adapted tostore electric energy; an energy consumption system configured to atleast partially consume electric energy from the energy storage system;and energy management system configured to: collect data from the energystorage system and the energy consumption system; send instructions tothe energy storage system and the energy consumption system; andtransmit data to a remote location; and data processing system locatedat the remote location, said data processing system configured tocommunicate with the electrically powered systems at least for receivingtransmitted data, thereby enabling analysis of the data at the remotelocation for validating introduction of the at least one feature in thevariant of the electrically powered system.
 12. The system according toclaim 11, wherein the electrically powered systems are currently used byconsumers.
 13. The system according to claim 11, wherein theelectrically powered systems are electric vehicles which are at leastpartially powered by electricity.
 14. The system according to claim 11,wherein the energy management system is configured to be reprogrammed toenable features in the electrically powered systems.
 15. The systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the energy management system isconfigured to be reprogrammed over a wireless communication network. 16.(canceled)
 17. (canceled)